Chicago City Wire

Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced the members of the Chicago Reparations Task Force. This 40-member group includes 25 individuals nominated by the Mayor’s Office and the Aldermanic Black Caucus, along with 15 selected through a public application process. The task force is made up of community leaders, individuals with lived experience, and representatives from organizations serving Black communities.

"There's no better day to announce our Task Force members than Juneteenth,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This is a day where we recognize our past, celebrate our people, and build a better vision for our future. This Task Force will take us one step closer to achieving reparations and restoration for our ancestors. Chicago is proud to be a city that will always fight for justice and equity for all Chicagoans.”

The task force was initiated in partnership with the Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) and the Aldermanic Black Caucus, following an executive order issued in 2024. It aims to support efforts to develop Chicago's first comprehensive reparations study as part of acknowledging historical harm against Black communities.

Chief Equity Officer Carla Kupe stated, “The Chicago’s Reparations Taskforce will showcase how reparative efforts are strongest when grounded in truth telling and lived experiences.” She emphasized the importance of collective power from community-based organizations and advocates in creating a path toward equity.

Alderman Desmon Yancy expressed his commitment to working alongside colleagues on this initiative: "I look forward to working alongside my colleagues in the Aldermanic Black Caucus and our newly appointed members of the Reparations Task Force to move us forward on the journey for justice, equity, and progress for our communities," he said.

Vetress Boyce, Community Co-Chair of the task force, highlighted its potential impact: "My conviction is that Reparations can serve as a beacon of hope, illuminating a pathway to healing and restoration for a population that has endured centuries of systemic oppression."

The task force includes multi-sectored representatives capable of supporting Executive Order 2024-1 implementation. Members include those with lived experience from historically Black neighborhoods who may not be connected to specific organizations or sectors.

Task force members are tasked with defining what reparations mean within Chicago's context, identifying key areas needing redress such as housing or education, developing recommendations for reparative actions while aiding in creating Chicago’s Reparations Study. They will also conduct research, engage with the public, and educate on reparations topics.